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A park and tall glassy building covered in snow, with trees and joggers in the foreground.
Piedmont Park, a prime sledding option, coated in a rare snowfall.
Curbed Atlanta

25 best things to do with kids in Atlanta this winter

The top spots for families in the ATL

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Piedmont Park, a prime sledding option, coated in a rare snowfall.
| Curbed Atlanta

Atlanta may have its roots as a sleepy railroad town, but today it’s a thriving metropolis with easy accessibility, thanks to the world’s busiest airport. Atlanta also offers a lot for the younger crowd.

It may not get as much press as the Disneylands of the world, but Atlanta’s rich history, plethora of cultural attractions, and love of parks means the city is ideal for kids from zero to 100.

Outdoorsy types will enjoy biking on the Beltline, exploring why Atlanta is sometimes called a “city in a forest,” and hiking up iconic Stone Mountain. Kids can also experience the city’s famous Southern culture; we’ve identified the best museums and historical sites that will please both adults and the under-18 crowd.

Another great part about exploring Atlanta: There’s really no bad season to enjoy the ATL outdoors. Even the winters tend to lean toward the mild side, so there’s plenty of opportunities to get outside and play.

We’ve rounded up the best of the best for families, including some under-the-radar—and less touristy—spots. Behold, the 25 best things to do in Atlanta with kids right now.

Traveling to other cities with your kiddos? Don’t miss Curbed’s maps of the best family activities in Washington, D.C., Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, New Orleans, Austin, and New York City.

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Lake Lanier Islands

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While Margaritaville at Lanier Islands continues to attract families in big numbers every summer thanks to its lakefront beach and waterpark, it now welcomes families to indulge in such winter pastimes as snow tubing, ice skating, or playing in the snow at License to Chill Snow Island. Talk about fun for the whole family!

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

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College football fans will love this interactive museum that not only features the Hall of Fame, but also takes a closer look at the history of the game, tailgating fun, the evolution of the uniforms, and more. Be sure to test your passing, catching, and kicking skills at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Skill Zone.

Centennial Olympic Park

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Built for the 1996 Olympic Games, the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park is now a thriving (and recently expanded) oasis in the center of downtown, with live music and festivals throughout the year. Although it may not warm up enough for a leisurely picnic every day, you’ll still enjoy a fun-filled time at the playground or a stroll through the park.

High Museum of Art

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Adults will find both the architecture—there are buildings by both Richard Meier and Renzo Piano—and the art collection captivating, but kids can have an equally great time at the High Museum of Art.

Check out the weekly family-friendly programming, then grab a backpack filled with art projects and games to lead the family on a DIY gallery adventure.

Children's Museum of Atlanta

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Kiddos 8 years old and younger will have a blast at this interactive museum that recently received $8.2 million in upgrades. Don’t miss playing inside a magical castle, launching rockets, and painting in the enticing art studio.

The interior of a children’s museum. The walls are yellow and there is a large replica of the Earth. There are tables and various displays on the walls.
The Gateway to the World exhibit.
Courtesy of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta

World of Coca-Cola

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Take a deep dive into this iconic soft drink’s history, see if you can catch a glimpse of the secret formula, and test Coca-Cola flavors from around the globe. Be sure to snap a pic with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear for a memorable souvenir.

Atlanta History Center

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Set on 32 acres of gardens, wildlife trails, and forest, the Atlanta History Center brings history to life with exhibitions on the Civil War, Southern folk art, and the 1996 Olympic Games, among much more. Don’t miss the Smith Family Farm, where costumed characters—and sheep!—teach kids hands-on homesteading skills.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta

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Encourage your child’s inner architect by taking them to this indoor LEGO paradise. Exhibits include two different rides, a LEGO Racers build and test zone, a Duplo village for the little ones, and a captivating 4-D cinema.

Stone Mountain Park

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Georgia’s most-visited attraction is spread across 3,200 acres, and even children as young as 4 (or younger) can make the one-mile hike up to the top of Stone Mountain. Kids will also love the Summit Skyride, a high-speed Swiss cable car, and a slew of other rides and adventures including train rides, mini golf, and watching the ever-popular Lasershow Spectacular. During winter, grab a snow tube and hit Snow Mountain.

People sit on a lawn with trees. In the distance is a large stone mountain. Karon Warren | Curbed Atlanta

The Wren's Nest

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The Wren’s Nest is the former home of Joel Chandler Harris (author of the Uncle Remus Tales) and the oldest house museum in Atlanta. Kids can tour the well-preserved home and listen to captivating storytelling on Saturdays at 1 p.m. Can’t make the weekend? Groups can also book a storyteller by appointment throughout the week.

CNN Studio Tours

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During this 50-minute walking tour, go behind the TV screen, and see how this 24-hour news channel puts together a broadcast as well as a look at how the news organization operates. Be sure to snap your family photo at the CNN desk, and grab a souvenir at the CNN store.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

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All year round, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a top-notch choice to get some fresh air. Younger kids will love the two-acre Children’s Garden, where they can dig up dinosaurs, walk behind a waterfall, and slide down from a treehouse. You’ll also want to check out this year’s Orchid Daze inspired by Mexican architect Luis Barragán.

A path through a park. The park has many assorted trees. There are people walking on the path. Erica George Dines/Atlanta Botanical Garden

Center For Puppetry Arts

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Come for the museum collection of more than 200 puppets from around the world, stay for top-notch performances like Beauty and the Beast or Old MacDonald’s Farm. The museum-only admission gives access to a self-guided tour of iconic Jim Henson puppets, but it’s best to reserve performance tickets in advance.

In the foreground is a glass display case with the puppet Big Bird from Sesame Street. There is another glass display case with the numbers 1, 9, 6. 9. The numbers are flanked by the Sesame Street puppets: Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, Grover, and the Count. Photo courtesy of The Center for Puppetry Arts

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

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Learn about civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this 35-acre complex that includes an interactive visitor’s center (look for the Junior Ranger activity books), the Ebenezer Baptist Church where King was a pastor, his gravesite, and even his birth home a few blocks away.

Piedmont Park

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Atlanta’s most beloved park boasts walking trails, green space, dog parks, two playgrounds, an epic splash pad for summer, and a rollicking but family-friendly pool. Also, don’t miss the brightly colored Noguchi Playscape near the 12th Street Gate; this playground was designed by world-renowned artist and sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

A sawdust covered playground with playground equipment. The playground is surrounded by trees. Curbed Atlanta

Center for Civil and Human Rights

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This museum is best for kids in upper elementary and older, but it provides an excellent platform to talk about things like racism, civil rights, and iconic leaders such as Nelson Mandela. Powerful, multi-media exhibits teach in a hands-on way, and both adults and children will leave with a fresh, thoughtful perspective on the human rights movement.

A building with many windows and a partially slanted exterior wall. There is a concrete ledge in front of the building with words that read: Center for Civil and Human Rights. ©Albert Vecerka-Esto & The Freelon Group/Georgia Department of Economic Development

Zoo Atlanta

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One of the oldest zoos in the country, Zoo Atlanta invites kids to come and see 1,300 animals in residence, including the famous twin giant pandas. Don’t miss the train ride, feeding the giraffes, the large collection of gorillas, and (in summer) the splash pad to help cool off.

Georgia Aquarium

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One of the world’s largest aquariums boasts everything from beluga whales to manta rays to neon-colored fish. Make sure to see the whale sharks in the awe-inspiring Ocean Voyager Exhibit, the Underwater Tunnel in the River Scout exhibit, and the sea lion show.

Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

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Devoted to the study and celebration of all things design, the Museum of Design Atlanta offers ever-changing exhibitions that will please both kids and adults. While not every exhibit is quite so kid-friendly, MODA also offers classes, camps, and activities for ages 5 to 18 that even let kids 3D print or design a roller coaster.

The Atlanta Beltline

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Atlanta’s Beltline is a far-reaching plan to transform 22 miles of railway into a ring of parks, paths, public art, and urban greenways. As it edges toward total completion, kids already can enjoy the skatepark off the Eastside Trail, the Historic Fourth Ward Park playground (and splash pad), riding bikes along any section of the trail (including the less-crowded Westside and Northside trails), and scouting the amazing, colorful art that includes Tiny Doors ATL installations.

A bridge. There are two people walking on the bridge. The bridge leads to a forested area with many trees.
The Beltline’s Northside Trail.
Curbed Atlanta

Southeastern Railway Museum

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Budding engineers or train-addicted toddlers will love the Southeastern Railway Museum. Explore 35 acres where families can tour rail cars, take a ride on a restored caboose, and check out a large collection of buses and taxi cabs.

Chattahoochee Nature Center

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Loads of trails and themed gardens are a big draw at this 127-acre center, but kids will also love the hands-on exhibits that tell the story of the river. Bonus: bring a picnic and let the older kids hike out all their energy.

A man and two children stand in a greenhouse in the midst of many assorted varieties of plants. Courtesy of Chattahoochee Nature Center

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

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Dinosaur-loving children, this one’s for you. Atlanta’s natural history museum boasts one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, plenty of interactive science exhibits, an IMAX theater, and outdoor play zones that feature paths and elevated treehouse platforms.

Historic Fourth Ward Park

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Adjacent to the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, Historic Fourth Ward Park offers 17 acres of green space, a playground, skatepark, an outdoor theater, and beautiful two-acre lake.

In the foreground is a garden with a pond that has a fountain in the center of it. In the distance are a group of buildings. Curbed Atlanta

Apex Museum

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Located in the historic Sweet Auburn district, the APEX Museum is devoted to African-American history.

Older elementary children and teenagers will appreciate exhibits on Africa, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, and the history of Atlanta neighborhoods.

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Lake Lanier Islands

While Margaritaville at Lanier Islands continues to attract families in big numbers every summer thanks to its lakefront beach and waterpark, it now welcomes families to indulge in such winter pastimes as snow tubing, ice skating, or playing in the snow at License to Chill Snow Island. Talk about fun for the whole family!

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

College football fans will love this interactive museum that not only features the Hall of Fame, but also takes a closer look at the history of the game, tailgating fun, the evolution of the uniforms, and more. Be sure to test your passing, catching, and kicking skills at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Skill Zone.

Centennial Olympic Park

Built for the 1996 Olympic Games, the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park is now a thriving (and recently expanded) oasis in the center of downtown, with live music and festivals throughout the year. Although it may not warm up enough for a leisurely picnic every day, you’ll still enjoy a fun-filled time at the playground or a stroll through the park.

High Museum of Art

Adults will find both the architecture—there are buildings by both Richard Meier and Renzo Piano—and the art collection captivating, but kids can have an equally great time at the High Museum of Art.

Check out the weekly family-friendly programming, then grab a backpack filled with art projects and games to lead the family on a DIY gallery adventure.

Children's Museum of Atlanta

Kiddos 8 years old and younger will have a blast at this interactive museum that recently received $8.2 million in upgrades. Don’t miss playing inside a magical castle, launching rockets, and painting in the enticing art studio.

The interior of a children’s museum. The walls are yellow and there is a large replica of the Earth. There are tables and various displays on the walls.
The Gateway to the World exhibit.
Courtesy of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta

World of Coca-Cola

Take a deep dive into this iconic soft drink’s history, see if you can catch a glimpse of the secret formula, and test Coca-Cola flavors from around the globe. Be sure to snap a pic with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear for a memorable souvenir.

Atlanta History Center

Set on 32 acres of gardens, wildlife trails, and forest, the Atlanta History Center brings history to life with exhibitions on the Civil War, Southern folk art, and the 1996 Olympic Games, among much more. Don’t miss the Smith Family Farm, where costumed characters—and sheep!—teach kids hands-on homesteading skills.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta

Encourage your child’s inner architect by taking them to this indoor LEGO paradise. Exhibits include two different rides, a LEGO Racers build and test zone, a Duplo village for the little ones, and a captivating 4-D cinema.

Stone Mountain Park

Georgia’s most-visited attraction is spread across 3,200 acres, and even children as young as 4 (or younger) can make the one-mile hike up to the top of Stone Mountain. Kids will also love the Summit Skyride, a high-speed Swiss cable car, and a slew of other rides and adventures including train rides, mini golf, and watching the ever-popular Lasershow Spectacular. During winter, grab a snow tube and hit Snow Mountain.

People sit on a lawn with trees. In the distance is a large stone mountain. Karon Warren | Curbed Atlanta

The Wren's Nest

The Wren’s Nest is the former home of Joel Chandler Harris (author of the Uncle Remus Tales) and the oldest house museum in Atlanta. Kids can tour the well-preserved home and listen to captivating storytelling on Saturdays at 1 p.m. Can’t make the weekend? Groups can also book a storyteller by appointment throughout the week.

CNN Studio Tours

During this 50-minute walking tour, go behind the TV screen, and see how this 24-hour news channel puts together a broadcast as well as a look at how the news organization operates. Be sure to snap your family photo at the CNN desk, and grab a souvenir at the CNN store.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

All year round, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a top-notch choice to get some fresh air. Younger kids will love the two-acre Children’s Garden, where they can dig up dinosaurs, walk behind a waterfall, and slide down from a treehouse. You’ll also want to check out this year’s Orchid Daze inspired by Mexican architect Luis Barragán.

A path through a park. The park has many assorted trees. There are people walking on the path. Erica George Dines/Atlanta Botanical Garden

Center For Puppetry Arts

Come for the museum collection of more than 200 puppets from around the world, stay for top-notch performances like Beauty and the Beast or Old MacDonald’s Farm. The museum-only admission gives access to a self-guided tour of iconic Jim Henson puppets, but it’s best to reserve performance tickets in advance.

In the foreground is a glass display case with the puppet Big Bird from Sesame Street. There is another glass display case with the numbers 1, 9, 6. 9. The numbers are flanked by the Sesame Street puppets: Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, Grover, and the Count. Photo courtesy of The Center for Puppetry Arts

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Learn about civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this 35-acre complex that includes an interactive visitor’s center (look for the Junior Ranger activity books), the Ebenezer Baptist Church where King was a pastor, his gravesite, and even his birth home a few blocks away.

Piedmont Park

Atlanta’s most beloved park boasts walking trails, green space, dog parks, two playgrounds, an epic splash pad for summer, and a rollicking but family-friendly pool. Also, don’t miss the brightly colored Noguchi Playscape near the 12th Street Gate; this playground was designed by world-renowned artist and sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

A sawdust covered playground with playground equipment. The playground is surrounded by trees. Curbed Atlanta

Center for Civil and Human Rights

This museum is best for kids in upper elementary and older, but it provides an excellent platform to talk about things like racism, civil rights, and iconic leaders such as Nelson Mandela. Powerful, multi-media exhibits teach in a hands-on way, and both adults and children will leave with a fresh, thoughtful perspective on the human rights movement.

A building with many windows and a partially slanted exterior wall. There is a concrete ledge in front of the building with words that read: Center for Civil and Human Rights. ©Albert Vecerka-Esto & The Freelon Group/Georgia Department of Economic Development

Zoo Atlanta

One of the oldest zoos in the country, Zoo Atlanta invites kids to come and see 1,300 animals in residence, including the famous twin giant pandas. Don’t miss the train ride, feeding the giraffes, the large collection of gorillas, and (in summer) the splash pad to help cool off.

Georgia Aquarium

One of the world’s largest aquariums boasts everything from beluga whales to manta rays to neon-colored fish. Make sure to see the whale sharks in the awe-inspiring Ocean Voyager Exhibit, the Underwater Tunnel in the River Scout exhibit, and the sea lion show.

Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

Devoted to the study and celebration of all things design, the Museum of Design Atlanta offers ever-changing exhibitions that will please both kids and adults. While not every exhibit is quite so kid-friendly, MODA also offers classes, camps, and activities for ages 5 to 18 that even let kids 3D print or design a roller coaster.

The Atlanta Beltline

Atlanta’s Beltline is a far-reaching plan to transform 22 miles of railway into a ring of parks, paths, public art, and urban greenways. As it edges toward total completion, kids already can enjoy the skatepark off the Eastside Trail, the Historic Fourth Ward Park playground (and splash pad), riding bikes along any section of the trail (including the less-crowded Westside and Northside trails), and scouting the amazing, colorful art that includes Tiny Doors ATL installations.

A bridge. There are two people walking on the bridge. The bridge leads to a forested area with many trees.
The Beltline’s Northside Trail.
Curbed Atlanta

Southeastern Railway Museum

Budding engineers or train-addicted toddlers will love the Southeastern Railway Museum. Explore 35 acres where families can tour rail cars, take a ride on a restored caboose, and check out a large collection of buses and taxi cabs.